Ronaldo expects his 6th World Cup at age 41 next year is ''definitely'' his last
Riyadh (PTI): Cristiano Ronaldo said on Tuesday he expects his record sixth World Cup next year at age 41 will be his last.
“Definitely, yes, because I will be 41 years old,” Ronaldo told CNN anchor Becky Anderson in a live video link from Portugal's training camp to a tourism conference in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo clarified that when he says he will retire from soccer “soon” that should mean “probably one, two years.”
Portugal should seal qualification in the coming days for the World Cup that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The team needs just two points from its final qualifying group games at Ireland on Thursday and hosting last-placed Armenia on Sunday.
Ronaldo's five goals in four qualifying games have extended his men's world record to 143 for a national team.
“I feel very good in this moment. I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp, I'm enjoying my game in the national team,” he said.
In regard to the end of his playing career, Ronaldo said, "Let's be honest, when I mean soon I mean probably one, two years.
“I'm enjoying the moment. But when I mean soon, it's really soon, because I give everything for football. I'm in the game for the last 25 years, I did everything.
“I have many records. I'm really proud. So let's enjoy the moment, live the moment."
Ronaldo and his great rival Lionel Messi are heading to their record sixth World Cups. That would break a tie with German great Lothar Matthäus who played at each World Cup from 1982-98.
Argentina captain Messi is going as the defending champion and will turn 39 during the group stage in North America.
Portugal and Argentina are among the co-hosts of the 2030 World Cup, giving Ronaldo and Messi the chance to exit the World Cup stage at home.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
